Ticket sorting apparatus



oct. 14, 1952 L. M. POTTS 2,613,809

TICKET SORTING APPARATUS INVENTOR LOUIS M. POTTS; DECEASED MARTHA W. C. POTTS, EXECUTRIX lOl Oct. 14, 1952 L. M. POTTS TICKET SORTING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed Oct. 25, 1946 Oct. 14, 1952 M. P01-Ts 2,613,809

TICKET SORTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 4 e1 se .5

mvENroR LOUISl M. POTTS, DEcEAsED MARTHA W. C. POTTS, ExEcUTRlx BY FWARNEY v Oct. 14, 1952 1 M, PoTTs 2,613,809

TICKET SORTING APPARATUS Filed 001'.. 25, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 dll" VENTOR z L S M. T EcEAs L MAR A W.C.POT ,ExEcu J BY MAZ/WM ATTORNEY Oct. 14, 1952A l. M. POT-rs 2,613,809

TICKET SORTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1946 i 9 SheetS-Sheel', 5

INVENTOR LOU|S- M. POTTS, DECEASED MARTHA w. C. POTTS, EXECUTRIX .BY mm ML- ATTORNEY Oct. 14, 1952 l.. M. PoTTs 2,613,809l

TICKET SQRTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1946 9 sheets-sheet e .INVENTOR. LOUIS M. POTTS, DEcEAsED MARTHA W. G. PQTTS, ExEcuTRlx f 38| BY Flan 38,

. ATTORNEY Oct. 14, 1952 M, P01-Ts 2,613,809

TICKET SORTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25,` 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 292 LOU|S M.POTTS, DECEASED 294 MARTHA w. C. POTTS, EXECUTRIX ATTORNEY Oct. 14, 1952 l.u M. Po'r'rs 2,613,809

' Y TICKET SORTING APPARATUS Filed oct, 25, 194e 9 sheets-sheet 8 FIG. I3

' INVENTOR. LOUIS M. POI'TS, DECEASED MARTHA W: C. POTTS, ExEcuTmx ATTQRNEY Oct. 14,

Filed Oct L. M. POTTS TICKET SORTING APPARATUS Pls. I5

9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENToR LOUIS M.POTTS, DEcEAsED MARTHA w. C. POTTS, ExEcuTRnx ATTORNEY.

Patented ct. 14, 14952 UNITED STATES PATENTbFFIcE 2,613,809 vTICKET son'riNG APPARATUS Louis M. Potts, deceased, late of Evanston, Ill., by Martha, W. C. Potts, executrix, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application October 25, 1946, Serial No. 705,531

5 Claims,

The present'invention pertains to ticket sorting systems, and more particularly to an automatic system for sorting tickets in accordance with designations thereon.

In toll ticketing systems it is desirable to prepare automatically a toll ticket bearingvarious types of information thereon, such as. the number of the calling subscriber, the number of the called subscriber, the time of initiation of the call, the time the call is ended, etc., in `'order that proper charges may be billed against the calling subscriber. Inasmuch as there may be a great number of tickets bearing charges against many different calling subscribers, manual sorting of such tickets for each subscriber would be 1 a costly and time consuming operation.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for automatically sorting the various tickets as to individual subscribers.

A second object of the invention is to provide automatic ticket sorting apparatus operating in response to designations borne by the tickets'.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for scanning the designations on the ticket and operating to control the sorting therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic pick-up and conveying apparatus to feed the tickets successively from a stack, convey them past the scanning apparatus, and finally convey them to a predesignated one of a plurality of storage bins.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus which will perform a sorting operation in accordance with any predetermined one of a plurality of rows of coded designations appearing on the toll ticket.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a one digit sorting device which may be set successively in order to sort toll tickets ac' cording to multiple digit numbers.

A further object of the invention is to provide chain relay and tube circuits for controlling the sorting operations.

One further object of the invention is to provide selector mechanism operating under control of the scanning mechanism to cause operation of the various storage bin lids.

The system in general comprises pickup apparatus t0 feed the uppermost of a stack of toll tickets, conveyor apparatus for feeding the tickets successively past a scanning device, selector apparatus responsive to the scanning for selecting a predetermined sorting storage bin .for each ticket, conveying apparatus for feeding the tickets to the various bins and a suitablevcircuit for controlling the various operations.

A better understanding of the invention may. be had from the following detailed description,I when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly in section, showing the ticket pickup device, the scanning and con- Veyor apparatus, and `selector mechanism em, bodied in the invention; Y a

Fig. 2 is Van enlarged front view, partly in sec'- tion, of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; f 7., i

Fig. 3 is an enlargedfsectional view taken proximately on the line 33of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken partly on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 and also Showing the end of the conveyor;

Fig. 5 is asectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, partly broken away, taken approximately on the line 6--6 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of 1an element of the selector mechanism;

Fig. 8 is an. enlarged sectional View proximately on the line 8--8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a view showing one of the toll tickets and a portion'of the scanning platform;

Figs. 10 to 13,v inclusive, are schematic diagrams of the circuit embodied in the system;

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing how Figs. 10to 13, inclusive, should be placed together to vform a complete circuit, and j y t L 1 Fig. 15 is a timing diagram showing the intervals of operation of various elements of the circuit embodied in the invention.`

With reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings'l it may be `seen that `the apparatus comprises in general a ticket pickup mechanism 2l, a-ticket conveyor 22, selector mechanism 23 and a scanning and light source mechanism24.

The ticket pickup mechanism k2| comprises, Fig. 3, a table 216 for receiving a plurality of tickets 21 stored one above the other and springs taken ap- 28 for causing the table 26 and tickets 21 to :be

urged upwardly, thus always presenting the uppermost ticket to the pickup mechanism. .The table 2.6, as maybe seen, is supported by means of :supports 29 which are controlled by the springs 28. Y, f

Referring. again to Fig. 1, av motor 3l is provided which through its Vshaft and associated gear drives a gear 32 secured to a shaft '33,

journaled in bearings 35. Secured about the shaft 33 is asleeve 36 which is driven by means of a clutch 31 when its ratchet 38 is released by its associated pawl 39, seen more clearly in Fig. 8. Thus, while the shaft 33 may be rotating continuously the sleeve 36 will only rotate when the pawl,A 39 releasesthe ratchet 38 and allows theclutch 31 to impart rotation to the sleeve. Secured to the sleeve 3B is a gear 4| which engages an associated gear 42 on stub shaft 43. The shaft 43 is provided with a gear 44 secured to its opposite extremity so that when the sleeve 36 is released the gear 44 will be driven.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it may beseen that when clockwise rotation is imparted to the gear 44 it, in turn, imparts counterclockwise rotation to a meshing gear 46 which is secured to shaft 41, Fig. l, on which is also secured a gear 48. Gear 48, in turn, when rotated in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 3, imparts clockwise rotation .to a meshing gear .4.9 which is fast to va-shaft .on which is secured midway thereof a pressure roll 52. The. pressure roll A52y is designed-to coact with and engage one end `of the uppermost toll ticket 21, in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

Also meshing with the gear 44 is a .gear 53 A whichwill be rotated vinra counterclockwise direction' and rwhich will impart 4clockwise rotation to meshing gear 54 secured to shaft 56. The shaft 56 extends the Width vof the ticket pickup' mechanism 2| and has .secured to its opposite extremity, on the opposite side of the ticket pickup mechanism, a gear 51, shown more clearly inv Fig. 2, which will likewise be rotated in a clockwise direction. ,Thegear 51 meshes with a gear 58 positionedonastub shaft whichvin turn meshes with ia gear 59` which issecuredto a l shaft 6| extending across the widthof the pickup mechanism. The shaft V6| is provided with pressure rolls 62, Figs. 1 and 3,. which actto .exert pressure on the opposite extremity of the toll ticket `from thepressure roll 52 in order to move it from its pile, in a manner which .will be described hereinafter. n

Also meshing with the vgear51 (Fig. 2) is a gear 631'which will' be rotated in ay counterclockwise direction and which in turn'meshes with a gear 64 rotatable-in a clockwise direction. Thegear 64 meshesrwithl-and imparts -rotation to a gear 65 in a 'counter-clockwise direction, the gear `fili being secured to a shaft Eil-which extends across theVv pickup mechanism 2|. The shaftv 61; has positioned midway thereof `a pressure roll. E8, Figs. 1 and 3, which engages-with the uppermost of the-stackedtickets 21 at the extremity Yoppositefrom the roll ,52.in a mannerto be. later described.

' It may be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 thatr theshaft 61 is secured in arcuate apertures .69 in the framework of the ticket pickup mechanism and is carried on pivoted supports y1| normally urged in a clockwise direction lby springs 12, only one ofwhich is shown'. n The reason for such mounting of the shaft 61 is. to insure that the pressure roll 68 will always be in pressure engagement with the uppermost ofthe tickets 21 in the I stacked pile.

.Inasmuch as all ofthe gearing. described 'above is under the control of the sleeve 36, which does not operate continuously but only operates when the pawl 39 is released from the ratchet 38, Fig. 8, thel successive picking vuplof tickets 21-from the Vpile will not be continuousbut willbe intermittent kand under .the control of. apparatus-:to

be described hereinafter. However, if it is asrolls are in operation it may be seen, with reference to Fig. 3, that as the pressure roll 52 rotates in a clockwise direction it engages the rearward extremity of the uppermost of the tickets 21 and feeds it forwardly causing it tobuckle in the middle in an upwardly-direction. Likewise, as the pressure roll 68 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction it engages the forward extremity of the uppermost of the tickets 21 urging that extremity rearwardly and resulting in further buckling of the ticket in the middle, as may be seen in the lowermost of the two dotted line positions of Fig. 3. As the pressure roll 68 continues to move in a counterclockwise direction it will cause the forward extremity of the uppermost ticket 21 to follow the contour of the roll to a position whereat it will be engaged by the pressure roll 62 engagingthe roll 68, and rotating in a clockwise direction, as illustrated Vin the uppermost of the dotted line positions. Thus, the ticket 21 will be fed positively between the rolls 62 and 68 from its position in the stack, as originally described. Because of the design of the various gears in the mechanism and the resulting different operating speeds the foremost end of the uppermost ticket willA ,be positioned between the two rotating ,rolls 62 and 68 before such time as the rearmost ,extremityds fed past and released from the pressure roll 52.

Referring -still to Fig. 3, it may be seen that the gear 53 is provided With a Y,cornpanim meshing gear 13 which, in turn, .mesheswith a gear 14 positionedlonv'a shaft 16. Shaft 13 extends laterally across the pickup mechanism 2|, Fig. l, and is provided with rolls 11 which will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction. A pair of pressure'rolls Av13 are positioned at the foremost extremity of pivoted links 19, Figs. 2 and 3, which are normally urged in a vcounterclockwise direction by means of a spring 8|. Thus, as a ticket is fed between `the rolls 15.2 and 88 it will be fed to a positionwhereat its foremost extremity will be picked up by means of the rotating roll 11, the ticket being positively urged thereagainst by means of the pressure rolls 18 andvvill be discharged to the conveyor `mechanism 22 in a manner and for a purpose tobe more fully described hereinafter. It might be noted that a guide 82, Figs. 2- and `3, has been provided to guide the ticket 21 to the conveyor system after discharge from the rolls 11and 18. f

With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, it may be seen that the conveyor mechanism y22 comprises a pair of spaced belts 8.6 towhich are secured at suitable intervals lugs 81 which are each provided with an inwardly .and .downwardly extending portion 88 which serves to engage .the tickets as will be later described. The conveyor belts 86 pass over a .pair of drive rolls `89 secured to a shaft 9| which is provided with a driving gear 92, Fig. 3, secured thereto. Thel opposite extremity ofthe conveyor belts 88 pass .over .a pair of spaced idler .rolls 93, Fig. 4. f

Also secured to the shaft 33,is. av gear .34. which meshes with an associated gear, not shown, for imparting rotation to a shaft 94 to one extremity of which is secured .a gear. 96;, Figs. 3 land 5. The gear 96 meshes with the gear 92- secured to shaft 9| and insures rotation of the conveyor driving wheels 89.

As the uppermost of the. -toll tickets.;-:21 is ejected by the driving rolls 11 andthe pressure rolls 18v to .the conveyor .under .'control. of; the

guide 82 lit will befpo'sitioned on a-table orrunway intermediate the spaced conveyor belts 86 and carried along byengagernent of the inwardly and downwardly extending portions 88 of the lugs 81. The ticket will thereafterbe presented to the scanning mechanism 24 in a manner to be described and finally conveyed to a predetermined one `of a plurality of ticket storage bins 91, Fig. 4,` which'l underlie the Aportion between the spaced conveyor belts 86. As may also be seen in Fig. 4, the tops or lids 98 of the storage bins are each individually pivoted at their rearmost extremity and have a downwardly extending portion which forms the armature forA an associated magnet 99. Thus, when one of the magnets -99 is energized, thereby attracting its `armature thereto, the lid 98 of the storage bin 91 will-be-pivoted in a counter-clockwise direc-l tion, Fig. 4, to the dotted line position thereby allowing the ticket 21 to be directed into'that particular storage bin instead of being carried further along the conveyor system 22.

With reference to Fig. 9 it may be seen that the tickets 2-1 are of suiiicient length to allow the printing thereon of 40 characters, two of which, the rst and last'on the ticket, will be the code signal for a hyphen. The use of such hyphen code signals will be describedv hereinafter. The ticket further is provided with feed' marks vwhich are half the length of the code marks and which are utilized for feeding control in the system. The use of printed ticket feed marks and the printing thereof may be seen more fully by reference to U. S. vPatent No. 2,397,202, issued March 26, 1946, to-L. M. Potts. It may be seen that the feed marks, which are half the length of the code marks, are positioned on the ticket 21 midway with respect to the code marks rather than at the beginning thereof, in 14 order to allow better marginal operation of the apparatus, as will become apparentr further in the description.

As the ticket 21 is fed by the rolls 11 and 18 lto such position whereat itis engaged by the extending portion 88 of the lugs81 on the conveyor belts 86, it will be fed forward to a table '|0| underlying the light source and scanning apparatus. As may be seen in Figs. l and 9 the table |01 is formed with a black inlay or portion |02, for a purpose which will be described during the descript-ion of the circuit embodied in the invention.

The scanning and light source'mechanism 24, Figs. 1, 2, and 5 comprises a lightsource |03 and a converging lens system |04, all positioned in a light tight case |06. The converging lens system |04 is so designed as to throw a narrow beam of light rays on the table |0| of suiiicient width to coincide with a transverse row of code marks of the ticket 21. be seen that light reiiected from the ticket will be picked up by proper lens |08 which direct beams to a plurality of light conducting rods |09, made ofv Lucite or some similar material.

AThe individual light conducting rods of which there are seven, Fig. 1, lead to individual photocells which are shown generally in Fig. 1 but which will be described more fully and assigned identifying numerals with respect to the description of the circuit.

During the time thatthe tickets 21 are passed successively across thetable |0|` and thus under the appropriate light raysthe'photocells will be activated in accordance with whether a light or dark (white or: black) surfaceis being scanned With reference to Fig. 5, it may kat that timeand reiiected to the light conducting rods |09. In accordance with common practice the various code signals are made up of marking or spacing impulses, the spacing. impulses indicated as light or white areas on the tickets 21 whereas the marking impulses are indicated as dark or black surfaces on the tickets. Accordingly, five of the photocells will be operated in accordance with the five code impulses,

as utilized in the well known Baudot code, whereas a sixth photocell operates in accordancewith the feed marks on the tickets and the` seventh photocelloperates in accordance with whether a ticket is present under the scanning mechanism or whether the black inlay surface |02 in the table |0| will be scanned. By referring to Fig. 9 it may be seen that the inlay surface |02 is offset with respect to the code marks on the tickets 21 vand therefore as a ticket passes under the scanning mechanism on the table |0|.the black inlay |02 Awill be covered yby the light or white portion of the ticket, whereas if no ticket .is present underthe scanning mechanism the AS the ticket 21 passes from the table ml it will be conveyed further by the conveyor belts 86, passing over the various lids 98 of the various storage bins 91 until such time as one of the Vlids 98 is raised in a manner to be described hereinafter. y r

Reference may now be had to Figs. 1, 6, and '1 for a description of the selector mechanism embodied in the present invention.v `The selector mechanism in' generalv comprises a plurality of ten discs mounted rotatably on a common shaft |2. Each of the rotatable discs is provided with a plurality of settable members ||3 thereon, shown in detail in Fig. '1, and which is formed with a hexagonal portion v| I4 and a round portion ||6 having three lugs' ||1 extending therefrom. The settable members ||3 are secured-,rotatably to the discs the hexagonal portion |4 being adjacent to the disc.

Interspaced between adjacent discs and associated with each of the rotatable discs is a disc I3 whichis nonrotatable but which is positioned about the shaft ||2. The discs ||8 are each provided with a lsemicircular portion H9- cut from the periphery thereof provided with an upstanding lug |2| in the middle thereof and also with a semicircular portion |22 cut in the I periphery ofthe discs ||8 but spaced from the previously mentioned cut I9.

Referring to Fig. 1, it is to be remembered that a shaft 94 was described as being rotated through gear 34 on shaft 33. The shaftV 94 has secured at one extremity thereof a driving portion of a standard type clutch indicated generally by the numeral |23. The driven portion of the clutch |23 is released for engagement with the driving portion thereof by the energiz'ation of a magnet |24, Figs. 1 and 5, and the subsequent attraction of armature |26. The vdriven portion of the clutch |23 is secured to a shaft |21 (Fig. 5) which carries a gear |28 thereon which meshes with a gear |29 positioned on a stub shaft `|3|. suitably journaled (Fig. 1). Also secured tothe stub shaft |3| is a gear |32 which meshes with a gear |33 secured to a sleeve |34 positioned about the shaft ||2, previously describedv` "Thus,

` theclutch|23 released rotation Awill Vbe imparted to the sleeve. I34through the gearing 'system just described. It might be notedthat the sleeve-|34 is'provided with collar .connectionsto the various rotatable discs I I in such a manner that the discs I|| will be rotated about the shaft I,|2.

Referring again to Fig. 6, it should Vbe noted that the lsettable members 3 rotatably mounted to the discs III are held in one position'during rotation by a vfacet of their hexagonal portion ||4 "engaging the outer periphery of the .associatedstationary disc IIB. However, as thedisc III moves in a counterclockwise direction to a positionwhereat the settable member I3 is adjacentthe cutout portion H9 inY which direction lugs I Il which may have been positioned in such a mannerY as to engage the lug portion I2|, the memberV II3Lwill be rotated soas to be free of the cutout portion, as illustrated in the next succeedingv member|| 3. The-settable members Il?,

will'then be held in the set position with a lug extending outwardly from the periphery of thev disc III through the engagement of a facet of the hexagonal portion I|4 with the outer vperiphery ofthe associateddisc I |3 until such time as the settable members |I3 are advanced to the cutout portion |22.

Positioned adjacent to the code discs I lare five-selector barsv |35, Figs. land 6, which are under the vcontrol lof ve associated magnets I3? which are operated in a manner and for a purpose 'to be describedhereinafter. The selector bars Itfare provided with various notches |38 in the rightward edge thereof, Fig. l, for coding purposes. Thevarious magnets |37 will be energized or not energized in accordance with the code marks'scanned,l as will be described later, and accordingly will position the ve selector barsV |35 in permutations according to the scannedcode signals; this time that as the various code bars |36 are set .in varying permutations a single set oi notches IBS-will be aligned adjacent to one of vthe sets of set-table members `I i3 secured to one disc III only. Thus when this conditiony exists,'-as

- the vdiscs |||l are rotatedfurther, thefsettable member ||3 havingbeen positioned with its lug extending downwardly, will be allowed to pass through the aligned notches |38 without being moved in position. By the time Athat the vlug I I1 is passed through the aligned notches |36 the settable member |I3-will .be advanced past the circular cutout portion |29;y in the periphery of` the stationary disc H8 and a facet of the hexagonal :portion H4 will have 'engaged the Vouter embodied in the invention.

VIt is suiicient to say at periphery ofthe disc H8, thereby precluding furi ther rotational movement ofthe settablernember |13, until it isadvanced to its neutralizing position l,adjacent the cutout portion H9. However, in the event tha-tithe particular signal scanned andthe movement of the selector bars |35 had been-suchasto have one of the barsblocking a complete'alignment ofthgnotches |38 the particulardescribed lsettable `'member H3 would be rotated yby its outstanding lug |II engaging the unalig-ned selector bar I3, thereby rotating the settable mem-ber H3 to a position whereat it has one por its-lugs ||l extending inwardly and none ,outwgardly.,l several-of which are illustrated. Underthis condition, as ther disc l il rotates fur-A therv the positioned settable member ||3 will be .1 lockedainplacefby means of a facet of the hexev agonalportion I |3 engaging the periphery of the stationarylidscftl. x f Y f ci'ated contact pair I 39 each timea settable member I|3 passes adjacent thereto which lias-its lug II'I outstanding, which indicates that lthe selector bars |36 were vso positioned as to have aligned notches |38 adjacent that particular sete table member. n

rIhe closing of a particular Contact pair |39 will result in the energization of -an associated one of the magnets 99 for opening the lid 987.01? a.l

particular storage bin 91, as will be. described hereinafter. It should be noted, however, that the contact pairs associated vwith each of the ten rotatable discs I I I will be connected one each to the magnets 99 controlling the opening of the storage bins and, therefore, each of the selector discs II I may be considered as being Aassigned to a predetermined one of the ten storage bins. n

Also secured to the shaft |27, rotatably under the control of the clutch |23, are three cams |4I, IM, and |43, which Vmay. be seen in Fig. yl and which are also reproduced in the circuit drawings (Figs. l0 and 13), which operate to control associated contact pairs IM, |46, and |41, respectively, through the action of appropriate cam 4followers. The cyclic operation of the cams |4| to |153, inclusive, and the subsequent closure of their associated contact pairs will be dealt with more fully in the description ofthe electrical system By reference to Fig. 8, it may be seen that the pawl 39, previously described as controlling'the release ,or non-release of the ratchet .38 secured to thesleeve 36, is under the control of a magnet IliSfor which it 'serves as an armature. The pawl 39 is so constructed that when itis in its attracted position dueto the energization-of the magnet |48 the ratchet 38 will be Vreleased 'for rotation and an associated electrical contactpair |619 will be closed. .Afcomplete understanding andY interaction of the mechanical elements will become more readily understandableirom the following description of the electrical circuit embodied in the invention which will include asynopsis of operations of the entire device. The illustration of such electrical circuit isdiagrammatic in :nature and may be had by reference to Figs. 1Q and 13, inclusive', when placed in the order shown in Fig. 14. Inasmuch as theV operation of the various electrical elements for proper functioning of the apparatus must be in timed relation to each other, the description of Fig. `15 will be included with that ofthe electrical circuit to describe the timing'of the variousV ele'- ments. y i

The timing diagram illustrated in nig. l15 has been divided into forty-portions, corresponding with the forty' code columns on the ticket 21; thus, for example, the No. 1 division'bf the Chart shownv onY Fig. r15 corresponds to the-rst code the ticketl 21, the second feed marks appearing on the ticket 21 Whereas the cell |58 is responsive in accordance with whether a ticket-21 is present or is not present under the scanning mechanism. y

As a ticket 21 is passed under the scanning mechanism the photocell l|51 will be biased accordingly with respect to Whether a black or feed mark or white or no feed mark is present on thel ticket. An amplifier tube |59 operates in accordance with the biasing of the photocell |51 and controls the primary of a transformer |6| by its output circuit. The secondary of the transformer |6| will be operated in accordance with the operation ofthe primary of the vtransformer and the amplifier tube |59 in such amanner as to cause sharp impulses to be transmitted as the photocell |51 operates in response to the scanning of a change of bias; that is, when the scanning changes from the white ticket surface to a black ticket feed mark and again from the black feed mark to the interspaced white portions. As the scanning changes from a'white portion to a black feed mark, sharp impulses will be transmitted over a lcommon conductor |62 such as is shown as line |63 of Fig. 15. Likewise, as the scanning changes'from the black feed marks to the nterspaced .white portions of the ticket, the secondary of the transformer |6| will g operatel to cause sharp impulses tol be transmitted overa common conductor-|64, such as is shown as line |66 of Fig..15. Inasmuch as there is aticket feed mark provided for-,each trans-v verse row of code impulse signals there will be a continuous alternating succession of impulses on the conductors |62 `and |64, as may be seen by a comparison of the lines |63 and |66. Eight cold cathodev tubes designated as |61A to |61H, inclusive, are provided with their starter anodes |68 being connected through condensers |69 to the common conductor |62, over an obvious circuit. Thus, Veach time that a sharp impulse is generated on the common conductor |62, a similar impulse will be impressed on all of the starter anodes |68 of the tubes |61A to |61H, inclusive. However, such potentialis not sufficient in itself to cause the cold cathode tubes to conduct but they must receive a conditioning voltage in order for such to occur, in a manner as will be described hereinafter.

Eight cold cathode tubes |1|A to |1|H are also provided which have their starter vanodes |12 connected through condensers |13, over an obvious circuit, tothe comm-on conductor |64. Thus, every time that the sharp impulses are generated on the common conductor |64 they will be impressed to the starter anodes |12-of all of the tubes |1|Ato |1|H. However, such potential is not sufficient to cause any of the cold cathode tubes |1 IA to '|1|H, inclusive,.to conduct at this time but instead it is necessary that a conditioning voltage or potential be appliedto the starter anode |12 simultaneously with the impulse onV the common'conductor |64 for such to occur, in a manner as willbe described hereinafter.

Each of the tubes |61A to |6 '|H,4 inclusive, are

provided with'an anode |14 and a cathode |15. The anodes |14' are connected over individual conductors |16 to the primary'V 'of commutating transformers |11A to |11I-I, i1`1clusive, and thence battery |82 through the amature |83 of va ,slow-7.y to-operaterelay |84 and over al.conductorr ||35.; j,.' It should be noted, howeverfthat the,`,above, statement of the anodes |14 being connected to the common conductor |8| is vtrue for the tubes, |61B to |61H, inc1usive,..but that 'theanodelld ofy the-tubel61A is connected over itsllconductor:

|16 Vto an individual grounded lo'att'ery"|86..f,l 'Iheiy reasonforrsuch will appear hereinafter.. The cathodes` are yconnected,through r sistors |81 .to the starter anodes|12",dfthesuoi over individual conductors `|18 toV the secondary of the succeeding commutating transformers, such fasthe primaryvof 4transformer |11A and secondaryofthe transformer 11B, and finally to a common conductor llleading to Vgro1-mdcd '(5 each of the tubes|61Ato 61I-1 inclus Vance successively ',conductin' presently. d In theV fol operationof the tubes through the resistors |.88`to a common grou*ridad"`r g y The. tubes lsmto itin, meins-life; wm fb ducting i-n staggered relation, thedirleA 161A Fig.'v

15,-showing the rin-g or conducting of the ub The tubes |1|A to V|1|l-LinclusiVaf.will'a fire successively or instaggeredrelatfon, |1 IA to 1 |H, inclusive, showing the condire or firing characteristics of the tub bearing larnumerals.v ,l mit By comparison of the lines |,61Aand |1|A ting may be seen that the tube |61A willbe condul:

ing during aportionlof the time that the tuby |1|A is conducting, asseenchart'ed online' |1 |A',` and also during av portion ofthe ,ti)rr,1 jthat the tube |1|II is conducting, .as maybe' by eff ferring tothe line |1|H. Thuis, from lth1s parison and a comparison [of succeedir'igj,v if the remainder of the characteristics n tubes |61A .to ||1 H,inclusive,jlwerel(chmrtr n V would becomev apparent thatoneeach of the v,iilfe'usl |61 and 1| will be conducting simultaneously' and thereafter vthe |61 type tube being tinguished and the, next succeeding |61`type 'tube being fired; in other words thefsystempr a chain tube system whereinV th tubes ll' nd thespcnd penis. @Sgt/ill .,aper, Wing .description iaith? 16,1, and' ,i i l inwinibei sumed that the tubes "|1' |,A' `a ld` -|61A are con# tube back becoming u ductingand therernainder of theftibesfaref'eiritinguished. Such initiation4 o'fethel V:chain system maybe had yby the usefjof manually 'operated contacts for impressing'suflicient'iir g I potential to the starter/anode of any onveor more tubes. v The generalgrapplication ofthe method vof Reissue Patent No. 21,718,

on April 22, 1941. 1

@helices the'aho'de I9 to the cathode |92',r `and 'through ai resistor' 199 toftl'ie` starter anode |68 offthe tube |`61B. .This potential impressed cn'jthe starter anode |6801'` theitube, |61B serves as a y conditioning potential'- forA that particular tube.

'conducting at! this time and as the output cir'- cuit from'tliecathode '|175 ofthe tube I61A passes through the `lffSiStoi" |81 to the starter anode |12 Ft'he'tube 1|AjWhich is yalready' conducting, goed` thecatnoee circuit |92 of theftube mA Ypasses through the resistor |99 to the' starter anode-J useY of theftube'; "51B, the tube-|5113 win befthe-onlyfone'ofallof'the tubes |61`and |1| Wllic will receive' 'a 'conditioning^-v potential at thi f particularytime: y lbf fthe tube"y 161B is receiving its conditioning potential''from'"the" preceding tube ll1| A "during tlietimetliat this 'latter-tube is firing,l at such time akst'he4A impulse'is generated on the cominoiicndu'ctor' |62 by the secondary of the transformer IBI, Which is addedv tothe conditioning potential appliedtothe starter anodejri of the v |6113', itwill cause the tube |01B. to fire or ljiecorneconducting.'l j y ,c f,

' Iasniuch as theanode |14 of thetube 101B isconnected `over `conductor |16 to -the primary of'the'y commutating transformer |11B, upon the firi'r'rg of vthe-tube `|61B the .potential -Will be riffse'don ,conductors |18 'and |15 leading to .the a'o'de ITA of the'tube |61A due to the action ,of the secondary of the transformer |11B a Y resulting in v-the tube |61A becoming extinguslr'ied,V Liked" e. the anodecf the tubes IHA oneiof'fthetubesll B1 or |1| becomes conducting itl-''conditions the-next succeeding Vtube of the Y. oppos'ite' .type and, extingushes 'the preceding tubeiof thesam'e typ.

During thev timethat-'one ofV the tubes |1|A to--J-"I'l'l'I-I, inclusive,'isconducting it will result in the-1pulsingof the associated transformer ypose tobe ldescribed hereinafter. The operation.or pulsin'g'of the-transformer |98A has been illustrated as line-198A of Fig. `15 and the pulsing-of vthe transformer |98E Vhasfbeen illustrated by line'IQBE of` Fig. 15.

' Thefl secondaryv of'fthe 4transl-"ormer.-f198A is groundedl andeis 4connected' over. a conductor 20|and through. a condenser 202 (FiglZ) to the starter anode of a cold cathode tube 203. Likewisathe s econdaryof the transformer |98E is grounded and-is connected over a conductor v20||iand through a condenserk 206 to the starter anode' of acold cathode-tube 201. ,n The starter arrodesV offA the `tv/'o'tubesn203 and 201 are normally supplied-with vconditioningY potential from grounded battery 208 overa conductor 209 to a-junction' point 2| IA and ,thence4 over a con- .ductor 42| 2,`4 through arr-,armature 2|3 of a slow- 'to-operate-,relay V2|l|,.and over a conductor 210 tof-battery, sof-that :in the `event thata pulse is generated on one of the conductors 20| or '204 Since thev starter anode l2 it 'will be sumci'ent to cause'the particular? tube' 203 or 201to become conducting. y f

The anodes o'f the tubes 203 and201 are connected to the windings ofa transformer 2|6 which is utilized to 'allow vonly one of the tubes 203` or 201 to be conducting at any one time, thefiring of-the one tube resulting in the eX- tingu'is'hm'ent of the other tube.

The output of theftube 201 is timedimpulses, such as illustratedon line 201 of Fig. 15, Which are" impressed on 'a common conductor 2li, Whereasv the output of the tube 203 is similarly spaced impulses-as illustrated on line 203, Fig. 15, which are impressed on a common conductor 2|8.

Ten relays 2|9A to 21.9.1, inclusive, arek provided, each Ybeing double Wound* for a purpose to'be later described. In the following descriptionv of the relays itwwill be assumed lthat the relays 2|9l and y2|9J Vare energized, theremainder of the relays'being unenergized. While the initiation of the Various'relays has not been illustrated but ther assumption made that two of them are energized as a starting point, the generalmannerV for initiating such relays may be more readily understood by reference to the abovementioned reissue patent.

It might benoted at this point that the relays 2|9A to 2|9J, inclusive, operate in such a manner that two adjacent ones yof the relays are energized simultaneously, With the exception of the first and last relays EISA and "2|9J, one thereafter being de-energized and the next succeeding relay becoming energized. The interval of energization of the Various relays. 219A to 2|9J, inclusive, may be had by reference to lines 2|9A to 2I9J of Fig. 15. vFollowing `the assumption that the krelay 2|9I is. energized the` locking' circuit may be traced from positive battery 208, over the conductor 2|0, through kthe armature 2| 3, over the conductor 2|2 to junctio'n point 2| l', overcommon conductor 22 over a branch conductor 222,Y through the armature 223l associated -with the relay Ziel, now in its attracted condition, vthrough theV right-hand winding-of the relay` 2|9I, over a conductor 22d, through the armature 226 of the relay 2|9A which will be in its unattracted condition, to ground 221. Thus, the relay 2 |9I Iwill remain in vits energized condition at this time.` With respect to the relay 2|9J, also assumed energized at this time, its locking circuit may be traced from the battery 208, over the conductor 2in, through the'armature 2|3,'over the conductor 2|2, over the common' conductor 22|, over a branch conductor 222,'(Fi`g. Q13), 'through the armature 2287of the relay 2|9J, now in its attracted condition, through the right-hand Winding'of the'relay 2|9J, over a conductor r4229 and through now Vunattracted armature `23|A of the relayI 2|9B, to ground. Thus, the relay 2|9J Will also remain in its energized condition.`

When duringthe time that the relays M91V and 2|9J vareenergized-the tubev |1|A becomes conducting, it' 'results in potential being impressed across fthe primary of" the Vtransformer |98A with the resulting impulse being generated onthe conductor 20| -from the secondary of the transformer causing the tube 203 topbecome conducting and: an rimpulse to be'generated on thecommon conductorrZlB, all as has been described.AV As a result ofv such pulse on the conductor 2|8 a similar impulse will be impressed.

on its branching conductors leading to alternating ones ofthe relays 2|9A to 2|9J, inclusive,

but will only have effect with respect to lthe particular relays to which a branch conductor circuit is completed; that is, the relay energized at that time.

However, as there is no circuit from the relay 2|9J to the relay 2|$|A none of the other relays 2|9 will be energized at this time. The method for energizing therelay 2|9A will be describedv hereinafter. If for example, the relay 2|9D- had been energized at this time the pulse on the conductor '2|8 would pass over the branch conductor to the then attracted armature 23| of the relay 2|9D, over afconductor 232, through the lefthand winding of the relay 2|9E, over a conductor 233, and through the unattracted armature 234 of the relay 2|9G, to ground. The relay 2|9E would thus energize. A locking circuit would be established from ground, through the armature 234 of the relay 2|9G, over the conductor 233,`

233 and which served as a locking circuit for the l relay 2|9C to be removed resulting in the relay 1 2 ISC becoming de-energized.

The energization of the relay 2|9E also results in its armatures 239 and 24| being attracted thereto. The attraction of the armature 239 results in a circuit being conditioned over an associated branching conductor to the common conductor 2|1 in readiness for a possible pulsefrom the tube '201 which would operate to energize the relay 2|9F in a manner as was just described with respect to relays 2|9D and 2|9E. The use and result of the attraction of the armature 24| or a similar one (other relays) will be described hereinafter. If instead of an impulse being generated on the common vconductor 2|8 and thence over the branching conductor and through the attracted armature of relay 2|9D, an impulse had been impressed on the common conductor 2|1 signifying that the tube |`||E was conducting, transformer |98E pulsing, and the tube 201 conducting` an impulse would be impressed to the relays 2|9A to 2|9J, inclusive, overy the branching conductors. The only effect of such pulse on the conductor 2|1 and its branch conductors would be the completion of an electrical circuit over the conductor '2|1, through the branch conductor, through the. armature 242 of the relay 2|9C which is now in its attracted position, over a conductor 243, and through the left-hand winding of the relay 2|9D. However, inasmuch as the relay 2|6D was described as being in an energized condition such pulse and circuit would have no eiect thereon. No impulse would be transmitted from common conductor 2|1 over the branch conductors to any other of the relays because the other relays to whichsuch branch conductors lead would be de-energized at this timev and their associated armatures (similar to 242) would not be attracted to allow a resulting circuit such as was just described.

Therefore, it may be seen that the relays 2|9A to 2|9J, inclusive, operate two at a time according to the pattern disclosed in lines 2|9A to 2|9J of Fig. 15, the Anext relay then becoming energized alternating ones of and causing the extinguishment of the rst' re-` lay, with the exception that the last relay in the chain'doesnot cause?l the first relayto become energized. f

It may be noted that all of the relays 2|9A to 2|9J are provided with armatures similar to armature 24| of relay 2|'9E which are connected over individual conductorsk 244 to the ten positions of a manually operable ysequence switch indicated generally as 2465 (Fig. 13). The purpose of this switch will be described hereinafter.

Referring now to Figs. 10, 11, and 12 it may be seen thatfthe secondaries of the transformers |68B to |93H are connected over individual conf ductors 249 to the eight positions of a manually operable sequence switch indicated generally by the numeralv 25|. It may also be seen that the movable pointer of thev sequence switch 25| is connected over a conductor 252 which acts as a common conductor and has various branch conductors which will be connected in circuit tothe armatures 24| of the relays 2|9A to 219.1', in-

clusive, when any of those relays are energized and such armature attracted thereto. Thepurpose and further use of the switch 25| will be described hereinafter.

It is to be remembered that ve photocells |5| to |55, inclusive, were previously described as b eing biased or activated in laccordance with the scanning of the five code impulse marks in a transverse row on the ticket 21. The photoelectric cells |5| to |55, inclusive, are each provided with an associated amplifier tube 253 similar to the tube |59 associated with the photocellV |51 and operating in a similar manner. In the event .that a black code mark is scanned on the ticket 21 corresponding to a particular photocell |5| toy |55, inclusive, the associated amplier 253 will operate to cause an impulse to be transmitted over a` conductor 254 associated with each of the arnpliers to the starter anode of one of five cold cathode tubes 256 to 266, inclusive. Thus, in the event that the tubes 256 to Y266, inclusive, were t0 receive a conditioning current at the starter anodes thereof simultaneously-With potential being applied over one or more ofthe conductors 254,'such tubes 256 to 260, inclusive, would become conducting. Thus, for example, in the event that the code impulses for 'the particular signal may be spacing, spacing, marking, marking, spacing, the tubes 258 and 259 would become conducting whereas the tubes 256,251, and 260 would.

remain inv their unconducting state, The generation of the conditioning voltage for the starter anodes of these tubes will be described hereinafter.

The anodes of the tubes 256 and 260, inclusive, are connected to grounded battery 26| vby means of a common conductor 262.

The cathodes of the various tubes 256 to 260, inclusive, are connected to individual conductors 263 which, in turn, are engaged by the armatures 264 of a relay 266, provided the relay is de-ener- `.gized and the armaturesin their unattracted position, thence over conductors 261, through make-before-break contacts 268, over a common Aconductor 269, through the armature 21|'1'of a relay 212 when'the relay is cle-energized and the armature vur'iattracted', to ground.

y A relay 213 is provided, Fig. 12, Whose arma@ tures 214' operate rwhen attracted to engage associated contact points 216 'which at a slightly later time causes `the opening of the make-before`` break contacts 268. The armatures 214 are'con'- nected by means of the conductors 211 'to the left-:handV Winding :of inve. relays .218A .to 218E, inclusiva- In the. event that'the relays 218A to 2181i! are: energized, their attracted armatures219 result in the establishment of a locking circuit Whichk may be` traced from grounded battery 28 I, over a common conductor 282, through the righthand Winding of the relays 213A to 218E, inclusive, through the attracted armature 219, over a common. conductor 283 to a junction point 284, over a conductor 285, through the contact pair |41, normally closed, to ground. Thus, a locking circuit is supplied -for the relays 218A to 218E underJthisV condition.

The energization oany of the relays 218A to 218E results inv the` attraction of its associated armature 281 which results in the establishment of an electrical circuit for energizing one or more of the magnets 31; Such a circuit may be traced from grounded battery 288,. over a common conductor 299, through the winding of the magnets I31,'over a conductor 29|, through the attracted armature 281, over a common conductor 292, through the Winding of a relay v293, overa coniductor 294 to junction point 296, over a conductor 291 to junction point 284, and thence over conductor 286 and through the normally closed 'contact pair |41 to ground.

' The relay 293 is provided with an-armature 298 which in its normally unattracted condition allows a grounded condenser 299 to be charged by a battery 30|. At such time as' the relay 293 is energized the armature 299 will be attracted thereto and a circuit'will be established over conductor 302 and through the Winding of relay 212 to ground. The condenser 299 Will discharge at this time causing the relay 212 to become ener-v gized momentarily, resulting in its armature 21| being attracted thereto and ground being removed from the circuit previously traced Jthrough the make-before-break ycontacts 268 to the various tubes 256 to 260,inclusive.

It'should be noted that the contact pairl |45, normally open, Fig. 13, is connected by means of conductor 303to the Winding of the relay 213 and thence to grounded battery 334. Thus, at suchv time as'the cam |42 presents its apex to the cam'follower resulting in the closure of the contact pair |46, the relay 213 will be energized attractingits armatures 214 thereto.

The secondary of the transformer |98A is also connected by means of a conductor 306, throughV a condenser 301, to thevstarter anode of a cold cathode tube 338, the anode circuit of whichis supplied with grounded battery 399 over a common conductor 3| The cathode circuit of the tube 308 extends over a conductor SI2. and through a condenser 3|3 to the starter anode of al cold cathode tube V3|4. The cathode circuit of the tube 3| 4 extends over a conductor 316 through a condenser to the starter anode of a cold cathode tube 3|1, Whose cathode circuit extends, in turn, over a conductor 3|8 and through a condenser to another cold cathode tube 3|19.

The cathode circuit of the tube 3I9 extends similarly over a conductor 32| to the starter anode `of another cold tube 322. The starter anodes of the tubes l308, 3|4, 3|1, and 322 are connected by means of conductors 323 to theV amplier tubes 253 in such a manner that after one of the phot cells |5|, |52, |53, or |55 scans a White portion orspacing condition on the ticket 21, voltage will be impressed over the conductors 323 to the starter anodes. The starteranode of the tube 3|9 isconnected over the conductor 254 to the associated amplifier 253 in such a manner that the photocellu|54 scans a blackfportionior marking condition onzthe ticket 21, voltagejwill l ondary of the transformer |9811 is also connected to the starter anode of the tube 308 over theconductor 249- to junction point 354 and thence over conductor 356 and through condenser 351.

A cold cathodeY tube 329 is also provided Whose l starter'anode is connected to the cathode circuit I or the tube 322, over an obvious circuit,v and which is also connected through a condenser 33 lV and over a con-ductor332 to the common conductor |64 associated With the secondary ofthe transformer 13|.'

The cathode circuitrof the tube 329 :isxcomv nected over a conductor 333, through the Winding of a relay 334, over a conductor 333, andthrough the armature 331 of the relay |84 so that a't such time 'as the tube 329 becomes conducting a circuit may be established from battery 309, through the tube 329, over the conductor 333,` through the winding of the relay 334, over thek conductor 333 and through thearmature 331 of the relay i84to ground, causing the relay 334 to energize.

The relay 334 is provided with armatures 333, 339, 34|, 342, 343, and 344. At such time asthe relay 334 is energized andattracts its armatures the armature 339 Y completes a circuit from grounded battery 200, through the armature 339, over aconductor 343,- and through the winding of the relay 2 I4, to ground, causing the relay 2|4 to energize. l v f AAttraction of the armature 339 completes an electrical circuit from grounded battery 200, lthrough the armature 338, over a conductor 341, through the left-hand winding of the relay 2|9A, over a conductor 343, and through ythe unattracted armature 349 of the relay 2|9C, to

t ground. The relay 2|9A will energize and lock ceives a pulse from the upover a circuit similar to viously for relay'y 2|9E.

The attraction of thearmature 34| completes that .traced prea circuit from grounded battery |82, through the armature 34|, and overa conductor 352 to the starter anode of the tube |61A. Thus, if at this time the starter anode of the tube 31A. also reconductor |62 (and through the condenser |89) the tube |61A will conduct. f

As afresult of the armature 342- being attracted a circuit is established from grounded battery |32, through the armature 342, over a conductor 353, and through the Winding of the `relay |84 to ground, causing the relay |84 to energize'.

The varmature 343, upon attraction, breaks .a circuit which had previously supplied grounded battery |32,throughthe armature 343, and over a conductor 350 to theconductor |8|. The battery circuit to conductor |8| is not broken completely aty this time -as battery-|32 is supplied over the-conductor |85 `to the armature "|83 of the relay |84.

Theattractionof the armatureV 344 breaks a circuit which had previously supplied battery`208 y er tube 362 whose output circuit passes through the winding of a relay'363 and thence to ground. The relay 363 is' provided with an armature 364 which in its-"attractedposition engages a conductor 366 and completes a circuit from ground,

through the armature 364, over the conductor 366, through the winding of the Amagnet |24, over a conductor 361 andover a-common'conductor 368 to grounded batteryr 369, the latter of which vis also supplied'tothe various photocells previously described.v i.; v

If the armature 364- of' therelay 363 is in its unattracted position signifying the relay v363 is de-energized, a circuit may be established from ground, through the armature 364, over a conductor 31|, through the contact pair |49 if closed at this time, through the winding of the magnet |48, and over the conductor 361 to common conductor 368, andto grounded battery 369.

Likewise, thefmagnet|48 may also be energized over a-circuitgyvhichl may be traced from ground through normallywclosed contact pair |44 (when cam |,4|,presents ;its high portion to its associated ,follower);c over la, conductor 312, through the winding .ofi the-magnety |48, and thence over conductors361 and 368 to grounded battery 369. The operation of the relay 363 andv the magnets |41 and |48 will `be described hereinafter.' -g Referring toFigr- 1'1, it may be seen that a conductor 316 branches from1the conductor 333, previously describedas in theoutput circuit of the tube 329, to the'left-'hand Winding ofy a relay 311. Thus, at such time as the tube 329 becomes coning circuit exists (relay 311 Ide-energized) they relay 266 will energize when-tube 324 conducts.'v

When relay 266 energizes it attracts itsarma- A ture 381 thereto, completing a locking circuit' which may be traced from grounded battery 388,`

through the right-hand winding of the relay 266,

through the armature 381,over :a conductor 389 to.

p the conductor 38|, thence to junction point 296,

ducting a circuit is establishedfrom thevoutput4 of the4 tube 329, overtheQ conductor 333, over the conductor 316v and through the left-hand Ywindingof the relay 311 to ground, thereby energizing the relay l3;'|1. ,Theresultant attraction of an armature 318y completes'a locking circuitfor the relay 311 whichrnay be traced fromgrounded battery 319, throughthe right-hand Windingv of the `relay 311` through thearmature- 31.8,' over a conductor 38 `to junction point 296, and thence over the conductorsi291; and 286 and .through the normally closed contact p airxl41 to ground.

The energization of the relay 311 also attracts its armature 382, which is connected by a conductor 383 toground into `engagement vwith the contact of a conductor 38,4which passes through the. left-hand windingoi; therelay 266 which is also connected to ground.y The left-hand winding of the relay 266 is also connected by aconductor 386 through a condenser385l to thel primary of the'transformer 328 (Fig..10) j Thus, every time the tube 324 conducts, supplying current in the primary of the .transformer 328,current will be supplied over-the conductor 886 and its condenser 385, through the-left-hand Winding of the Arelay 266 to'qground,.with the exception, however, that if ,therelay 311 is energized at this time' and its armature 382y attracted thereto a shunting circuit for the winding of the relay 286 exists whichmay be traced over conductorA 384, through the varmature 382,and': over the conductor 383 tfg-round. Thus, if no shuntover conductors 291 and 286, and through the normally closed contact pair |41 toground. During the interval that, the relay 266 is energized the armatures 264, referred to previously, are also attracted.

Inasmuch as there are forty possible code positions on the individual tickets 21 and as thev present apparatus is Idesigned to sort tickets according to a single digit only during one operation thereof, it is necessary to vprovide means to set the apparatus so that it will respond to a particu lar row of code marks on the ticket only, depending upon which particular sorting operation is desired. In the event that the tickets are being sorted according to calling subscribers numbers it would be necessary to sortthe tickets four times in order to successively separate them in accordance with their four digits (assuming the exchange numbers are to be limited to four digits only). Accordingly, in order to assure proper operation with respect to a single line of coded marks only the manual switches 25| and 246 have been provided which will .be set vto their various points according to a predetermined pattern or table to provide scanning of a predetermined row. During the above description the operationofthe tubes |61A to |61I-I, inclusive, and |1|A to |1IH, inclusive, and the relays 2|9A to 2|9J, inclusive, has been described as functioning in chain fashion under the control of the scanning of the ticket feed marks by the photocell |51. At the same time the photocells |5| to |55,.inclusive, are scanning the various lines of the coded marks and if a marking impulse is recorded and scanned a potential will be impressed on the corresponding conductor 254, by the amplifier-tube 253, to the starter anode of one or more of the tubes 256 to 268, inclusive. Howeven these latter tubes even i v though they have received potential signifying a marking impulse will not conduct at this time unless a conditioning voltage is impressed on the starter anodes, through the branch conductors, over the common conductor 348 which extends to the movable pointer ofthe manually operable switch 246. During the' time of the scanning of the various rows of code marks, the various tubes |61 and |1| and the varous.re1ays 2|9 will be appearing on the toll ticket, while tubes 308, 3|4,

3|1, 3|9 and 322r form a chain and condition the apparatus upon thescanning of the first-code signal if it is correct. Chain tube and chiainrelay circuits are provided to serve as counting` devices to insure proper operation, of the system in' accordance with lthe scanningj'of the various code signals, which in cooperation with manually opere' able switches 25| and 246`insure thesetti'ng of ayeragsoo:

the; selectorA mechanism 23 (magnets |31.) at thel correct transverse 'code' signallonvthe toll'ticketA for which sorting is: occurring; vAseries of tubes 2561to26, inclusive, serveto store the desired code signal until transferred `to the magnets |31 by operation of the relay 213- Various mechanical'elern'ents are also1 'provided' to eifect the .proper timing and. sequencer of operation, such asth cams |4I, |42 and |43. f

The following operational description of' the apparatus will be predicated on the assumption that the apparatus is at restA with the starting switch, which is not shown, being inits olf position. Thereafter, the stack of tickets21'if not alreadyfin place will 'be positioned on the table 23xin. readiness for'operation. Assuming now that'it is desiredto operate the apparatus, the.

starting switch, not shown, will'be positioned to itsron position which will result among other things infthe motor. 3| (Fig. 1) being'started into operation. Operation of the motor. 3|l imparts rotation to the gear 32, shaft 33', and gear 34V thereon resulting, Yin turn, the Conveyor 22 being started into operation through the rotation ofshaft 94 and gears 96 and 925 rUpon the-initiation of the apparatus, an elec.- tricalv circuit is completed which may be traced, Fig; 1'0, from ground, through the normally closed Contapl M associated with Vther cam Ml, over thefconductor V312; through the winding ofA the magnet |48, and over the conductors 361 and 363 to grounded battery363. The vmagnet |48 becomes energized attracting its armature thereto, which resultsin the pawl 39 beingremoved from engagementwith the ratchet 38, thereby releasing the clutch 31' for operation and allowing thesleeve 36 'to'rotatewith the shaft 33.

. Rotation of the sleeve 33 initiates operation through gear-H thereon'of'thevarious gearing systems, which were describedpreviously With respect'sto Figs. Zand 3,- and which results in the rol1s 52 and 38; rotating to pick up the uppermost ofithe toll tickets 21and feed itrbetween .therolls 63- and `62,' over a suitable platform and through the rolls'i'andjl, against the guide 82 and thus to a; position whereat itwill be picked up by the downwardly and inwardly extending' portions 88 ofthefconveyorflugs. The ticket will thus be conveyed.tothef-scanning table |01 and thenc under the scanning mechanism 24.

Prior` to `the time that theticket' 21 is placed in. scanningv position. onv thescanning platform the photocelllt will bei scanning theblackinlay portion |32. andrwill not bealtered in its operation; to cause associatedamplier tube 362 toefr'ect operation ofthe relay 363.A However, at such time as the ticket 21 is interposed between the.light, source and the scanning-memberfassociated1with thephotocell |58, thus blockingscanning of theblack: inlay portion, the photocell |58 willlbebiasedin: such a manner to causethetube 3.62-Y to operata tol cause; the energization of the relay-363-ovenan obviousicircuit; .AS a result of thefattractionof the armaturetfi, an electrical circuiti will be completed which maybetraced from ground, throughthearmature 364, over the conductor'36, throughL-thewinding of themagnet |124', and-over thegconductors361 and 363 to grounded: battery- 359,. thereby energizing the magnet |24. v f i Asmagnet |24 becomes energized it'attracts its armatureglgZSf thereto, Fig; 5,y resulting in therelease of clutch |23 Ato impartdriving power'from the shaft Qlzto the driving-portion of the clutch andthe shaft |21 andthence through the pre- CIJ Likewise, at this time'the/cams IM, |42, and les,

all' securedsto .shaftn|2.1, will commence to rotate in. a cyclicmanner asi-Will appear more fully hereinafter. y

Likewise, upon the-first feed mark of the ticket being. scanned by the tube |51, the tubes |61 and tubes |1|A will start .their chain operation as has beendescribedffullyhereinbefore. It should be rememberedithatreference is made to the abovelisted reissue4 patent for-initiation of the tube |61'Af and'l relay 2|9A`l atvthis time, by a key orl switch 'similar to the phasing keys 440, 44| and 4112,"describedfin detail starting onvpage 21 of thatpatent'.

' Also as thevfi'rstcodlmarks indicative of the first-position on the, ticket 21 is scanned by the various photocell's |5'l to |55, inclusive, the accompanying amplifiers 253 will be operated accordingly, resultingin impulses being generated on the` .conductors 254-toy the starter anodes of the.- tubes 253VV to 260,'i1'1clusive, in accordance with markingu impulses and no impulses being generated on" the-,conductors 254 if a spacing condition exists: However; the tubes 256 to 263, inclusive, will'not'conduct at this time inasmuch as it is necessarythatj la conditioning potential bev applied to theirstarteranode over the common conductorf'348 which will not happen at this v time,aslwill be rlater'described in detail.

As was previously described the first codal position on the ticket 2-15wi11 comprise a hyphen signal whichlisdesignated by code impulses represented as` spacing, spacing; spacing, marking,

and spacing conditions'.y Under this condition 338, resulting' in' this tubebecoming conducting.

As a result of tube 308 becoming conducting the'outputcurrent'thereoffwill be impressed over conductor3`|2, and through condenser 3|3 to the starter*l anodeof" the associated tube 3|4. As previously described, theNo.V 2 pulse was spacing resultingin thev tube |52 being biased in such a mannerras to impressa conditioning potential overl theconduct'or-r 323 tov the starter anode of the tubev3|4 'andi due to the combined voltages impressed'fon this-starter anode the tube 3|4 will become conducting.` e

The associated-'tube 3|1 will also become conductingy at-'this-timef due' to potential being appliedf to its startery anode from the output cir cuit' ofthe tube 3|4-and' from the photocell |53 andassociated ampliergtube 253 all as has been Y previously described;I f

The output'circuitY ofthe tube 3| 1 as traced over conductorl 3|8fwill apply potential to the starteran-edeofv thevtube` 3|9. However, in this case= amarking rather than spacing impulse is scanning similarly as described with respect to aprende' the conductor 332, through the condenser 33|,v and to the starter anode of the tube 329, thereby causing this tube to become conducting.

As tube 329 conducts it completes a circuitA which may be traced from grounded,r batteryY 309, through the tube 329, over a `conductor 333, through the winding of the relay 334, over thel conductor 336, and through the armature 331 to ground, causing the relay 334 to energize. The energization of the relay 334 results in all of its armatures 338, 339, 34|, 342, 343, and 344 being attracted. thereto. The attraction of the armatures 339 and 342 results inthe en-` ergization of the slow-to-operatey relaysl2|4 and |84, over circuits described previously.

Before the operation of the slow vacting relays the movement of the armature 338 results in a circuit being established from battery 208, through the armature 338, over the conductor 341, through the left-hand winding of theA .relay 2|9A, over conductor 348 and through `the armature 349 of relay 2|9C' to ground, causing` a locking circuit' to be yset up for relay 2|9A through its armature 230, all as has been de-` scribed. The relay chain is. thus in readiness for operation. i

Also prior to the operation of the slow acting relays the attraction of the armature 34| causes a circiut to be established which may be' traced from battery |82, through thearmature 34|, and over the conductor 352 to the starter anode of the tube |61A. As during the time therelay 334 is energized the tube |59 will generate an impulse on the conductor |62 the starter anode |68 will receive sulcient voltage to ,allow the tube |61A to become conducting, thus readying the tube circuit for operation. l y

Likewise, prior to the operation'of the slow acting relays the armature 344 will be attracted,

thus removing the battery 288 from the conductor 2|2 by way of the conductor 35|, but not alecting the battery 288 supplied thereto over the conductor 2|0 and the armature 2|3.

Similarly to above, the attraction of the armature 343 removes battery 4|82 from the conductor |8| by way of the conductor 350, but

, does not affect the battery |82 supplied from the conductor |85 and the armature |83.

The slow-to-operate relays |84 and 2|4 then energize resulting in their armatures beingattracted thereto. The attraction of the armature 331 breaks the ground potential supplied previously over the conductor 336 for the relay 334 thereby causing this latter relay to de-energize. Prior to the de-energization of the` relay 334, however, the armature |83 moves from its cone tube 322 now con-4 and mA to mr'rjmcmsive, any om; f these which may have been conducting at this time will be extinguished. The tube |61A `Awill re-` main conducting atthis time as it has a separate source of potential, battery |86.

Upon the armature v2|3 of relay 2|4 being attracted the circuit for supplying battery 208 toconductor 2|2 by `way of the conductor 2|'li and the armature 2|3 is broken. As armature 344 of relay 334 is v,away from its contact also, no battery lat all will be supplied to the conductor 2|2, resulting in au of the relays zlsB l to 2|9J, inclusive, which mayv have been energized becoming,de-energized'due to a loss of locking potential. As the relay 2|9A is supplied with potential from battery 208 Lover conductor 341, as described above, it Will remain energized.

The removal of `potentialfrom the conductors: |8| and 2|2 will be only momentarily, as the armatures |83 and 2|3 will :move from their i one contact point to a second one, re-establishing the circuits. However, the circuits are open for a sunicient period of time to allow the tubes. and relays to extinguish and de-energize, as

described. l

As mentioned above, the ground for relay 334 was removed upon relay |84 energizing. The relay 334 thus de-energi'zes, allowing all of its armatures to resume their normal unoperated positions. The armatures 339 and 342 thus nol longer establish energizing circuits for the relays 2|4 and |84, respectively.

Prior to the de-energization of the 'slow-to#- operate relays the armature 344 willre-establish the circuit from battery 208 over the conductorl 35| to the conductormZlZ, thus allowing locking potential to be supplied "for the relays 2|9A to 2|9J, inclusive. 'Ihe relay 2|9A will remain energized, despite the potential supplied thereto prior to the movement of the armature 338 at this time. n

Similarly, the movementof the armature 34| merely removes potential from the battery |82 over the conductor 352 to the starter anode |98 of` the'tube |61A, but as this tube'is already conducting, receiving potential vfrom the battery |86, it has no eiect at this time. Likewise, the movement of the armature 3,43 reestablishes the supply of` potential from' battery |82 to the con# tact, thereby preventing battery |82 from beingl v supplied to the conductor |8| by wayof the.`

conductor |85 and armature |83, and as armature 343 of the relay 334 will be away from its contact at this time no battery at all will besupplied to the conductor |8| at this time. nasmuchas the conductor |8| is the source of potential for the tube circuits, tube |61B to |61H, inclusive,

to |1|II) over the conductor 350. l

The slow operating relays |84 and 2|4 now .de-energize, allowing their armatures |83 and 2|3, respectively, to resume their normal unattracted positions. The circuits from batteries |82 and 208 will'again be broken momentarily at the armatures |83 and 2|3, but as the armatures 343 and 344 (relay 334) are in their normal positions potentialto the conductors [8| potential on the common conductor 3| thereby causing the tubes ats, 314, 3H, sis, and 322 to be extinguished. As the `tube 329 was extinguished at the time ground was removed at the varmature 331, and as there 'is now no conditioning poten- 

